superannuation

Australians worried about their retirement savings during the pandemic-induced market volatility can now rest easy as it is revealed that superannuation has weathered the economic storm. Last week the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) revealed that just 0.3 per cent of the value of Australian superannuation has been lost in the 12 months to 30…

Superannuation members should be on high alert if using third parties to consolidate or locate their super to ensure the safety of their retirement savings. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), in conjunction with the Australian Tax Office (ATO), has identified a number of advisers, trustees and fund promoters that are marketing consolidation services…

Superannuation funds have held up well despite ongoing market volatility. Members are encouraged to hold on to their current option and avoid making “knee-jerk” reactions. Members have reaped the benefits of diversification with different portfolio options performing in line with their allocation. Research house SuperRatings estimates that the median balanced option fell 8.9 per cent…

In response to COVID-19 (aka “Coronavirus”), the Australian Government has approved limited early access to $10,000 of superannuation. For eligible Australians, this means they could pull $10,000 from their super balance twice, $10k before June 30th and $10k in the first few months after July 1st, 2020. The most important thing to know is there are super withdrawal eligibility criteria, so COVID-19…

The superannuation industry is deeply divided over whether the government’s decision to change the super early release rules is really in the interest of the super fund members.

The measure allows Australians to apply via myGov for access of up to $10,000 of their superannuation from April this year and an additional $10,000 from July 1 2020 for another three months.

The Grattan Institute has released its submission to the government’s retirement incomes review, a review called in anticipation of five annual increases in compulsory superannuation contributions, scheduled to begin in July 2021.

The government’s retirement income review is being told our current tax and benefit treatment of retirement incomes is a mess.

Asked to conduct an independent review of Australia’s retirement income system, the panel appointed by treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported on Friday that it was all tied up with the family home.

The debate about whether compulsory employer superannuation contributions should be increased from the current level of 9.5 per cent is constantly simmering, waiting for the next opportunity to boil over.

There is a case for not proceeding with, or at least further deferring, the legislated increase in employers’ compulsory superannuation contributions from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent.